Refrigerator drawer having a removable and replaceable bottom tray

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator drawer includes an upper portion and a lower portion forming a bottom tray. The bottom tray is releasably engaged with the upper portion and is adapted to slide relative to the upper portion. The bottom tray includes a grip for enabling a user to slide the bottom tray relative to the upper portion. The bottom tray can be disengaged from the upper portion by sliding the bottom tray beyond a front edge of the upper portion. The bottom tray has a height that is relatively small compared to the height of the upper portion, thereby allowing the bottom tray to be easily and conveniently cleaned without requiring removal of the upper portion or of the entire refrigerator drawer.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/602,442, filed Feb. 23, 2012, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to refrigerator drawers having bottom trays that are easily removed and replaced, e.g., for cleaning. More particularly, the present invention provides a removable refrigerator drawer with a lower portion forming a bottom tray that is adapted to slide relative to an upper portion of the refrigerator drawer, thus causing the tray to be easily removed and returned in place, as desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerator drawers frequently become unclean over time, as they are utilized. In particular, many items that are commonly stored in refrigerator drawers are susceptible to spill or decay, or otherwise are capable of leaving behind remnants that collect over time. Accordingly, the entire refrigerator drawer must be cleaned periodically. Such a process can be difficult and time consuming.

Known refrigerator drawers are built into the refrigerator in such a way that they can be easily removed by a user for cleaning. However, such refrigerator drawers are often too tall to fit into most conventional sinks. This makes it extremely difficult or even impossible for a user to clean the refrigerator drawer with a stationary faucet in a conventional sink. Some refrigerator drawers attempt to provide a reduced height in order to facilitate cleaning. However, in doing so, these refrigerator drawers sacrifice storage capacity and capability. For example, many taller refrigerated items (such as milk jugs, etc.) impose minimum height requirements upon refrigerator drawer dimensions.

Accordingly, all known refrigerator drawers fail to satisfy both of these two to competing objectives, of convenient cleaning capability and storage capacity.

SUMMARY

There is a need for a refrigerator drawer that is more easily cleaned without sacrificing storage capacity. The present invention is directed toward further solutions to address this and other needs, in addition to having other desirable characteristics that will be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading the present specification.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator drawer is provided. The refrigerator drawer defines an inner storage space. The refrigerator drawer includes an upper portion and a lower portion forming a bottom tray. The lower portion is slidably engaged with the upper portion in such a way that the lower portion is enabled to slide independently of the upper portion. The lower portion can have a height that is smaller than a height of the upper portion. The height of the lower portion can be adapted to fit within a sink, such as a kitchen sink. The lower portion can be adapted to disengage from the upper portion.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator is provided that includes one or more refrigerator drawers. Each of the one or more refrigerator drawers includes an upper portion and a lower portion forming a bottom tray. The lower portion is slidably engaged with the upper portion in such a way that the lower portion is enabled to slide independently of the upper portion. The lower portion can have a height that is smaller than a height of the upper portion. The height of the lower portion can be adapted to fit within a sink, such as a kitchen sink. The lower portion can be adapted to disengage from the upper portion in a manner enabling the lower portion to be removed from the refrigerator while the upper portion remains in the refrigerator.

In certain embodiments, the refrigerator drawer disclosed herein comprises one or more (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more) vertical dividers to separate the inner storage space.

In certain embodiments, the refrigerator drawers disclosed herein may comprise one or more handles. For example, the upper portion of the refrigerator drawer may comprise one or more handles. Similarly, the lower portion may comprise one or more handles.

The upper portion of the refrigerator drawers disclosed herein may also comprise one or more side walls. Such side walls may couple the upper portion with the lower portion or tray of the refrigerator drawer. In such embodiments, in response to a pulling or pushing force applied to the upper or lower portion or tray (e.g., a pushing or pulling force applied to a handle on either the upper portion or lower tray), both the upper portion and the lower portion or tray move simultaneously in the same direction as the pulling or pushing force.

Also contemplated by the present invention is the inclusion of one or more (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more) wheels on the refrigerator drawer (e.g., the placement of one or more wheels on the upper portion and/or lower portion or tray of the refrigerator drawer). Such one or more wheels may be adapted to enable a sliding motion by the bottom portion or tray relative to the upper portion of the refrigerator drawer.

In some embodiments, the lower portion or tray of the refrigerator drawer has a height that smaller than the height of the upper portion. For example, the height of the bottom portion or tray may be equal to about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 33%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%. about 45%, or any value falling therebetween of the refrigerator drawer. In some embodiments, the height of the refrigerator drawer can be adapted to fit within a sink. In yet other embodiments, the lower portion or tray of the refrigerator drawer can be disengaged from the upper portion without removal of the upper portion from the refrigerator (e.g., to facilitate cleaning of the refrigerator drawer).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other characteristics of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator drawer with an independently slidable bottom tray, according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two refrigerator drawers of similar configuration to the refrigerator drawer depicted in FIG. 1, and situated side-by-side in a refrigerator, according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the refrigerator drawers of FIG. 2 with the bottom tray of one of the refrigerator drawers being removed, according to one aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram depicting the removed bottom tray of FIG. 3 being cleaned in a conventional sink, according to one aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to refrigerator drawer having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion forming a bottom tray. The bottom tray is releasably engaged with the upper portion and is adapted to slide relative to the upper portion, thus making the bottom tray removable and replaceable. The bottom tray includes a grip for enabling a user to slide the bottom tray relative to the upper portion. The bottom tray can be disengaged from the upper portion by sliding the bottom tray beyond a front edge of the upper portion. The bottom tray has a height that is relatively small compared to the height of the upper portion, thereby allowing the bottom tray to be easily and conveniently cleaned without requiring removal of the upper portion or of the entire refrigerator drawer.

FIGS. 1 through 4, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout, illustrate a refrigerator drawer according to example embodiments of the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the example embodiments illustrated in the figures, it should be understood that many alternative forms can embody the present invention. One of skill in the art will additionally appreciate different ways to alter the parameters of the embodiments disclosed, such as the size, shape, or type of elements or materials, in a manner still in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a refrigerator drawer 10, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator drawer 10 includes an upper portion 12 and a lower portion forming a bottom tray 14. The upper portion 12 is formed of two substantially flat side walls 16 and two substantially flat end walls 18. The bottom tray 14 is formed of two substantially flat side walls 20, two substantially flat end walls 22, and a substantially flat floor 24 member. Accordingly, when the bottom tray 14 is in a closed position, the upper portion 12 and the bottom tray 14 collectively define a generally box-shaped inner storage chamber for receiving and storing items to be refrigerated (i.e., the general shape of a conventional refrigerator drawer). The inner storage chamber is continuous and substantially unobstructed across the interface where the inner space defined by the upper portion 12 meets the inner space defined by the bottom tray 14. As such, in illustrative embodiments, the refrigerator drawer 10 does not include any beams, platforms, or the like extending in a substantial horizontal amount across the inner storage chamber and interfering with the usable storage space defined by the combination of the upper portion 12 and the bottom tray 14. However, in alternative embodiments, it may be possible to include vertical dividers, walls, or the like adapted to separate the inner storage chamber into sub-chambers, if desired. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4, the inner storage chamber is generally box-shaped.

However, other shapes and sizes of the inner storage chamber may be possible, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading the present specification.

The upper portion 12 includes a front handle 26 configured for being gripped by a user to slide open or closed the refrigerator drawer 10 when situated within a refrigerator. The upper portion 12 is adapted to slidably couple with other components of the refrigerator, such as a shelf or other drawer support structure. For example, as depicted in FIG. 1, the upper portion 12 may include side overhangs 28 for coupling with corresponding tracks or wheels situated in the refrigerator, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific examples described herein or depicted in the figures. One of skill in the art will appreciate a variety of alternative ways for slidably coupling the upper portion 12 to a refrigerator. All such alternatives are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. In the example embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, the front handle 26 and the side overhangs 28 are formed by a continuous overhanging structure that extends around a portion of an upper perimeter of the refrigerator drawer 10.

The upper portion 12 and the bottom tray 14 are movably coupled in such a way that the upper portion 12 and the bottom tray 14 are enabled to move independently of one another. In particular, the bottom tray 14 is configured to slide forward and backward relative to the upper portion 12 (i.e., wherein the “forward direction” is defined as the direction pointing from the back of the refrigerator drawer 10 to the front of the refrigerator drawer 10, and the “backward direction” is defined as the opposite of the forward direction). In the example embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4, the side walls 16 of the upper portion 12 slidably engage with the side walls 20 of the bottom tray 14. In particular, an inner side rail 30 extends from each side wall 20 on the bottom tray 14. Each side rail 30 on the bottom tray 14 is slidably positioned within a corresponding indented track 32 formed in an outer surface of a proximate side wall 16 of the upper portion 12. The inner side rails 30 are each defined by an elongate protrusion extending from an inner face of the side wall 20 and oriented parallel to the floor 24. The indented tracks 32 are formed as elongate female members sized and dimensioned to slidably receive the inner side rails 30 of the bottom tray 14. The indented tracks 32 extend to a front edge of the upper portion 12, such that the bottom tray 14 can be disengaged from the upper portion 12 by sliding the bottom tray 14 in the forward direction until the inner side rails 30 pass beyond the front edge of the indented tracks 32. The bottom tray 14 can include a grip 34 for allowing a user to slide the bottom tray 14 forward and backward relative to the upper portion 12.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, the side walls 16 of the upper portion 12 extend into the inner volume defined by the bottom tray 14.

Accordingly, this enables a user to move the upper portion 12 and the bottom tray 14 together into an open position by gripping and sliding forward the front handle 26. In particular, a forward force on the front handle 26 similarly is exerted by the side walls 16 onto the front end wall 22 of the bottom tray 14. Thus, when a user pulls the front handle 26 in a forward direction, the side walls 16 of the upper portion 12 also urge the bottom tray 14 forward, thereby causing the entire refrigerator drawer 10 to slide forward as one unit.

It should be appreciated that the particular mechanisms described herein for slidably engaging the bottom tray 14 with the upper portion 12 are illustrative and provided for purposes of clarity. One of skill in the art will appreciate a wide variety of alternatives that can be used to removably and replaceably couple the bottom tray 14 with the upper portion 12. All such alternatives and modifications are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. As just one further illustrative and non-limiting example, the refrigerator drawer 10 can include wheels adapted to enable sliding motion by the bottom tray 14 relative to the upper portion 12.

FIG. 2 depicts two of the refrigerator drawers 10 of FIG. 1 situated side by side within a refrigerator 36. FIG. 3 further depicts the refrigerator drawers 10 of FIG. 2, in which the bottom tray 14 of one of the refrigerator drawers 10 is being removed or inserted by pulling on the grip 34 in a forward or backward direction, respectively.

In one example embodiment, the refrigerator drawer 10 has a height of about 9 inches, a depth of about 15 inches, and a width of about 14 inches; and the bottom tray 14 has a height of about 3 inches, a depth of about 15 inches, and a width of about 14 inches. In this example embodiment, the height of the bottom tray 14 is equal to about 33% of the height of the refrigerator drawer 10. These example values are provided only for purposes of illustration as a representation of a refrigerator drawer 10 of the present invention configured for operation in a conventional full-size refrigerator. It should be noted that the percentage of the height of the refrigerator drawer 10 that is occupied by the bottom tray 14 can be about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, higher than about 45%, or any value falling therebetween, so as to form some portion of the drawer that is substantially less than the full drawer dimensions. The present invention is in no way limited to these exemplary dimensions or ratios, or any other specific set(s) of dimensions or ratios. One of skill in the art will appreciate a wide variety of alternative dimensions and ranges that can be used to implement the refrigerator drawer 10, the bottom tray 14, and the upper portion 12 upon reading the present specification. All such alternatives and modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention.

Notably, in illustrative embodiments, the bottom tray 14 has a height that is relatively small as compared to the height of the upper portion 12. In general, the height of the bottom tray 14 according to illustrative embodiments of the present invention can be adapted to fit within a sink (e.g., a conventional kitchen sink). As such, the bottom tray 14 is adapted to disengage from the upper portion 12 for convenient cleaning, as depicted in FIG. 4. This is particularly beneficial given that the floor 24 is the primary site for spills and other unwanted residues or items collecting in the refrigerator drawer 10. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide a refrigerator drawer 10 that is adapted to be easily and conveniently cleaned without requiring removal of the upper portion 12 or of the entire refrigerator drawer 10, and further without sacrificing the overall storage capacity provided by the refrigerator drawer 10.

Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the foregoing description.

Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Details of the structure may vary substantially without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and exclusive use of all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. It is intended that the present invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are to cover all generic and specific features of the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator drawer defining an inner storage space, comprising: an upper portion; and a lower portion forming a bottom tray, the lower portion being slidably engaged with the upper portion in such a way that the lower portion is enabled to slide independently of the upper portion; wherein the lower portion has a height that is smaller than a height of the upper portion; and wherein the lower portion tray is adapted to disengage from the upper portion.
 2. The refrigerator drawer of claim 1, further comprising one or more vertical dividers to separate the inner storage space.
 3. The refrigerator drawer of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises a handle.
 4. The refrigerator drawer of claim 3, wherein the upper portion comprises side walls and wherein the side walls couple with the bottom tray.
 5. The refrigerator drawer of claim 4, wherein in response to a pulling or pushing force on the handle, both the upper portion and the bottom tray move simultaneously in the same direction as the pulling or pushing force.
 6. The refrigerator drawer of claim 1, wherein the lower portion comprises a handle.
 7. The refrigerator drawer of claim 1, wherein the refrigerator drawer comprises wheels adapted to enable a sliding motion by the bottom tray relative to the upper portion.
 8. The refrigerator drawer of claim 1, wherein the lower portion has a height that is about 33% of the total height of the drawer.
 9. The refrigerator drawer of claim 1, wherein the height of the refrigerator drawer can be adapted to fit within a sink.
 10. A refrigerator comprising one or more refrigerator drawers, each of the one or more refrigerator drawers comprising: an upper portion; and a lower portion forming a bottom tray, the lower portion being slidably engaged with the upper portion in such a way that the lower portion is enabled to slide independently of the upper portion; wherein the lower portion has a height that is smaller than a height of the upper portion; and wherein the lower portion is adapted to disengage from the upper portion.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the refrigerator drawer defines an inner storage space.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the refrigerator drawer further comprises one or more vertical dividers to separate the inner storage space.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the upper portion comprises a handle.
 14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the upper portion comprises side walls, and wherein the side walls couple with the bottom tray.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein in response to a pulling or pushing force on the handle, both the upper portion and the bottom tray move simultaneously in the same direction as the pulling or pushing force.
 16. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the lower portion comprises a handle.
 17. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigerator drawer comprises wheels adapted to enable a sliding motion by the bottom tray relative to the upper portion.
 18. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the lower portion has a height that is about 33% of the total height of the drawer.
 19. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the height of the refrigerator drawer can be adapted to fit within a conventional sink.
 20. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the lower portion can be disengaged from the upper portion without removal of the upper portion from the refrigerator. 